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free from infection or pathogens; the actions practiced to make and maintain an area or object free from infection or pathogens

cilia

slender, hairlike projections that constantly beat toward the outside to remove microorganisms from the body

contaminate

to soil or to make impure

decontamination

the use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles; the surface of item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal

hand hygiene

the process of cleansing or sanitizing the hand

infection

the condition in which the body, or part of it, is invaded by a pathogen

medical asepsis

practices that are employed to reduce the number and hinder the transmission of pathogens

microorganism

a microscopic plant or animal

nonintact skin

skin that has a break in the surface; includes, but is not limited to, abrasions, cuts, hangnails, paper cuts and burns

nonpathogen

a microorganism that does not normally produce disease

opportunistic infection

an infection that results from a defective immune system that cannot defend the body from pathogens normally found in the environment

optimum growth temperature

the temperature at which an organism grows best

parenteral

taken into the body through the piercing of the skin barrier or mucous membranes, such as through needlesticks, human bites, cuts and abrasions

pathogen

a disease producing microorganism

perinatal

relating to the period shortly before and after birth

pH

the degree to which a solution is acidic or basic

postexposure prophylaxis (PEP)

treatment adminstered to an individual after exposure to an infectious disease to prevent the disease

regulated medical waste

medical waste that poses a threat to health and safety; abbreviated as RMW

reservoir host

the organism that becomes infected by a pathogen and serves as a source of transfer of the pathogen to others

resident flora

harmless, nonpathogenic microorganisms that normally reside on the skin and usually do not cause disease; also known as normal flora

susceptible

easily affected; lacking resistance

transient flora

microorganisms that reside on the superficial skin layers and are picked up in the course of daily activities; are often pathogenic but can be removed easily from the skin by sanitizing the hands